The Zimbabwe Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has indefinitely postponed a ban on plastic carrier bag use, which was set to be effected on 31 December 2022 in a bid to reduce plastic pollution in the country.
EMA said the decision came after further consultations and “taking into consideration current national circumstances.”
In a letter to the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) president Denford Mutashu, EMA director general Aaron Chigona said:
Following a letter from Ema to you dated 12 November 2021 on the phasing out of plastic carrier bags by 31 December 2022, EMA after further engagement with relevant sector organisations and also considering national circumstances has seen it fit to give more time before the phase-out is effected.
However, we should be mindful of the global thrust towards an international legally binding instrument to curb plastic pollution which is expected to be in place by 2025.
The agency, therefore, encourages the nation to embrace environmentally friendly alternatives and appreciates efforts that have been made in the provision and promotion of alternatives to carrier plastic bags.
Chigona added that EMA will communicate timeframes to relevant sectors well on time for the nation to ready itself for the phase-out.
In 2017, EMA banned “kaylites” that were used for take-out food in restaurants in the country on grounds that the packaging has significant potential health risks. | NewsDay